image via darinka
In terms of accountability, blogging is working well for me.
It helps that I have thought through my goals for 2009 and have posted them for the world to see. It helps that I have continued to break the goals down month by month, making them more achievable. And it helps that I can blog about them on a daily basis. Taking small, baby steps like this has always worked for me.
Another thing that I have working for me is the Law of Attraction.
I’ve been blogging about fanning the flames of my marital relationship, and since then, I’ve stumbled upon this and this. Both blogs offer sage advice about strengthening your bond with your spouse, but they touch on different aspects. Both are worth the read, and one involves a challenge!
Another Law of Attraction perk is finding blogs on Random Acts of Kindness. I’ve been wanting to teach my children about the joy of giving, but have been stumped with how to begin. Earlier this week, I found the Generosity Experiment and Christy and her Random Acts of Kindness Challenge. Both blogs are inspirational, to say the very least.
Regarding the random acts of kindness, I decided to stop thinking about it, and start doing it.
The kids and I decided that our local police station would be the lucky recipients of R.A.K #1. I found out that although the police department accepts freshly-baked goodies, they don’t often eat them. The police-receptionist said that store-bought treats would go over better.
Hmmph! Where’s the fun in that?
So I started thinking…and I remembered the candy bouquet we brought in to my son’s preschool last year, during Teacher Appreciation week.
I had all of the supplies (ceramic pot, glue & glue gun, paper, skewers, flower foam, Easter grass) except the candies. I felt that if we couldn’t bake something, at least we could create something…
In addition, my son drew a picture of the police station. He wrote a thank you message, and I helped with the spelling.
Unfortunately, the drop-off was a little anti-climactic. Aside from the receptionist, there weren’t any police persons in the office. My kids didn’t get to physically give their gifts to the recipients, and as we walked out the door, my son goes, “That’s it?! We’re done?”
I could understand his 5-year old way of thinking, and I was a little bummed for him. However, we spotted two policemen chatting in their police vehicles. So I swore the kids to be on their best behavior, and we made our way over there. We politely asked if we could just peak into their vehicles, and one of the policemen allowed the kids to climb in.
I made it a point to not say anything to the policemen about our gift. Later, as I strapped the kids in their car seats, I told my son, “Just think how happy those policemen are going to be when they go inside and see your special gift and your beautiful card. They’re going to remember you and think ‘Hey! That was the kid who climbed into our car!’ They are going to be so thankful for your special treat.”
And as we drove home, we built up the excitement, chatting about our next Random Act of Kindness that we have planned.
FYI–Although I am involving my almost 3-year old in the R.A.K.’s, they’re a little over her head. I’m hoping that she will learn as we do more and more. ; )
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
nicely done. so impressive that you took the time to model this for your kids. who btw are very cute!
the links look interesting - i’ll need to check them out.
Your kids are adorable and thanks for the links. I was always intrigued by this idea
What a great lesson to teach your kids! In this self-absorbed society, we need to teach our kids to see outside of themselves. Very inspirational!
My hubby was the one to bring to my attention the fact that they probably don’t take homemade goods, and I called to verify. So we ended up taking store bought muffins. And yes, it was very anticlimactic for us as well. But I reminded my kids that not all good deeds will be met with a smile, a thank you, or even appreciation… and that’s okay. We do it to SHOW love, not receive it.
Love the candy bouquet you made… so awesome!!
Glad the kiddo’s got to meet a few officers. I bet your son was thrilled!
Denise ~ Thanks for the compliments on my kiddos. I really want this to be a regular thing with the kids.
RML ~ Enjoy the links. There’s so much good stuff out there!
Marci ~I’m the one who is inspired. And the world would be such a better place if everyone just stepped out of their own little “ego” every once in a while.
Christy ~ I know…I was trying to impart that lesson on my son–we won’t get a huge “WOW! Thanks!” with every good deed, but that doesn’t mean the deed isn’t worth doing…I’m hoping the more we do it, the more this lesson will be learned. Thanks again for the inspo!
this is one of the most splendid things i have read in the blog-world lately. i grew up doing RAK’s through church, so it holds a special place in my heart. what an amazing thing to teach your kids at such a young age! i love the story of the first RAK…so precious with your son.
i can’t wait to hear about more. …and, that candy plant is got to be the cutest thing ever!! adding you to blog-roll right NOW!
Very nice. Raising kind children is certainly a Finer Thing. Thanks for linking up!
great post. Your kids are adorable!!! So sweet
Rae~ You are too sweet. Thank you! Honestly, I feel a little weird getting kudos for doing a random act of kindness. It shouldn’t be such a big deal in this world, should it?
Amy~ Thank you. And thank you for having the Mr. Linky feature…it’s always a fun way to find kindred spirits.
Shannon~ Thanks. The kids are adorable…most of the time. ; )
Kirwin ~ I LOVE the bouquet - it is so adorable. It worked out so perfectly how you turned around the act so that your son & daugther could still feel the kindness of it all. I bet they will always remember sitting in the car and the gift they gave - that's awesome! Just look at their huge smiles.
Kirwin ~ I LOVE the bouquet - it is so adorable. It worked out so perfectly how you turned around the act so that your son & daugther could still feel the kindness of it all. I bet they will always remember sitting in the car and the gift they gave - that's awesome! Just look at their huge smiles.
What a great “teaching” moment! This is so wonderful that you are teaching your children the gift of giving of themselves at these early ages!! Bless you
blessings
mary
Oh, I loved reading about this! What a wonderful opportunity to help your children learn and grow through those Random Acts of Kindness. A great experience!
I’m doing something similar throughout Lent- I do a weekly project as part of my Sacrificial Hospitality series and blog about it. I’d love to have you check it out if you have a moment. Your project would have fit right in.
This link should take you right to those posts, if you’re interested: http://tinyurl.com/ca67de
Danica~ Yeah, the kids had a great time.
Mary Ellen~ Thanks. I’m hoping that these “teaching” moments become a regular thing. I don’t want them to be special events–I want them to be normal life.
JessieLeigh ~ I managed to find your Lent Challenge. It’s beautiful, and I plan to check in regularly. Maybe we can inspire each other.